As I arrived at India Point Park on a steamy August morning, my excitement was peaking. My musical odyssey began once I boarded the Newport Ferry. I was lucky, I got the last seat on the early morning shuttle which was sold out for the rest of the weekend. Everyone on board was smiling and laughing, because many of them, as myself, were headed to the musical mecca that weekend, the 72nd annual Newport Jazz Festival at Fort Adams Park. Jazz lovers worldwide know a good thing when they see it. In recent years, the musical extravaganza has been sold out.
The Newport Jazz Festival has endured and grown thru the decades from its infancy to the world class standard for jazz festivals. In the beginning, with a small loan from a wealthy Newport family, George Wein, its founder, created a showplace for jazz royalty, including Count Basie and Billie Holiday, weathering riots in Newport in the late ’60s, including a move to New York City and then back to Fort Adams where it has blossomed for nearly 45 years.
Wein, who created the world’s most successful international jazz festival, handed over the leadership role several years ago to Christian Mc Bride, legendary jazz bassist. Following his departure last year, world class drummer Nate Smith was hired as artistic director.
Smith, like his predecessors, is a musical visionary, always moving forward and showcasing established jazz greats, while widening the definition of jazz, bringing in fusion and jazz-based RnB groups.
Bruce Gordon, Newport Festival Foundation chairman, said Smith sees his role in a two-fold capacity. Gordon said “We (the foundation) were looking for someone willing and able to honor the rich traditions of jazz, staying rooted in what the genre is at its core. At the same time, we needed someone we could count on to push the envelope, keeping the music fresh and forward-looking.”
The festival this year was a testament to Smith’s ability to blend musical genres, highlighting jazz evolution, showcasing headliners – including Herbie Hancock, a Miles Davis bandmate and fusion keyboard wizard. Hancock’s set featured masterful, soaring trumpet lines by Terrence Blanchard. As the band leapt into a searing version of “Watermelon Man,” Hancock, now is his late ’80s moved across the stage bopping to the crowd’s energy, as though he was still a young guy. Jazz is passion and passion is jazz.
While on another stage, Kamasi Washington, veteran saxophonist, with an all-star band, paid tribute to the music of Davis and John Coltrane. 2026 marks the hundredth birthday of both musicians.
One of that set’s highlights was a mesmerizing version of Miles Davis’ piece, “Milestones” and a riveting selection of Coltrane’s “Impressions.” Both selections are considered jazz masterpieces. It was reassuring to see a diverse group of fans soaking up the set, concert goers from across the globe, of all ages, loving every minute of the groundbreaking performance.
Part of the artistry of this year’s version of the festival was the ability of great jazz and rock players to showcase their talent on different stages with different acts.
At one point, Smith, facing a last-minute cancellation, brought out an improvised group of musicians. Anchored by his solid drumming, they electrified the crowd at the Quad stage, creating a funk-driven groove with guest musicians from Lake Street Dive, a Boston-based RnB horn-driven band. One unforgettable memory of the jam was a soulful rendition by Celeste, a British-based soul singer, of the classic, “I Get by With A Little Help from My Friends.” This song was featured in the original Woodstock movie by the gritty Joe Cocker, a master of RnB, who rose to the top of the charts following that performance back in 1969. Celeste, who has toured Europe, is a powerful force in the next generation of crossover singers who can handle up-tempo big band arrangements while delivering powerful, soul-packed arrangements with ease. Her voice reminded me of the earthiness of Amy Winehouse with the sizzle of Janis Joplin. Her magic captivated the audience.
Another set was a masterful extended jam by Jon Batiste, Grammy-winning New Orleans-based pianist. His set, rooted in fusion-funk featured bassist Flea, an incomparable musician who also showed his trumpet ability during the hour-long set. Anchoring that performance was rock-solid drummer Chad Smith, both from the Red-Hot Chili Peppers. It was another example of Newport Jazz Fest magic seeing Batiste work effortlessly with Flea and Smith. The audience howled for more. A memory for the ages.
Part of the excitement of the festival is spontaneity and Mother Nature. Two years ago, fog rolled in on the Newport Harbor, creating long delays as patrons tried to leave the festival that evening. This year, every day was sunny, but again nature had a surprise for the audience on the closing night. During the rip-roaring set by Lake Street Dive, as the band led into “Dance With A Stranger,” the sky darkened and within minutes rain made the ground next to the quad stage a swamp, bringing out dancers who became hypnotized by the band’s energy, loving every minute of the show. The harder it rained, the larger the crowd grew, slipping in mud and puddles of rain. Mother Nature provided a perfect setting for the song. Rachel Price, the band’s lead singer, who commands unbounded energy, fed off the crowd as the horn section orchestrated its own dance moves to the delight of music goers.
As the Newport Festival does every year, it offers the opportunity for Salve Regina, a Newport college, and its band camp musicians to play on the festival’s Foundation Stage. Salve and its music department offer a jazz summer band camp for students interested in jazz. This year, as in the past, jazz music lovers packed the area near the Foundation Stage. Maybe, like all of us, they were hoping to see the next generation of jazz greats at the greatest jazz festival ever.
